Why The Military Macaw
Shouldn't Get A Bad Rap

I'll be honest... I don't think the Military Macaw is very beautiful, but after my brother purchased one it just took a tiny bit of exposure to their personality to fall immediately in love with the species.

Military Macaws are a bit smaller than a the Blue and Gold Macaw and can tend to be bit nippier.  They are mostly green, with a big red patch on their forehead, and a very pretty stroke of turquoise down their backs.  For more size, wingspan and pictures click here.

Military Macaws, like all species of Macaw will grow up to be biters and screamers if not raised properly, so I've included a few quick tips below to help show you some basic training exercises you can train your Military Macaw to help make sure he's stays playful, happy and active his full life, and doesn't' develop those nasty behavior problems everyone's so fearful of.

How To Keep A Military Macaw From
Turning Into An Evil Biting Machine...

The list of things a Military Macaw needs to learn could be endless, but here's the two most important thing Military Macaws should ever be taught and exposed to:

1. Early Socializing Skills -- Just like it's a well known fact that puppies need to be socialized with other dogs at an early age to avoid becoming aggressive, fearful or territorial of new objects things and people... the same should be done with Blue and Gold Macaws (or any parrot for that matter)
   
   And while Blue and Gold Macaws are one of the better species of Macaw to adapt to new situations, you'll make life with your Blue and Gold much easier if you introduce him to a variety of different situations at an early stage in life.
   
   The key is to slowly introduce as many new situations to your parrot as possible on a daily basis, and to gradually stretch your Blue and Gold Macaw's comfort zone to allow him to finally become comfortable in practically every situation possible
   
   If you make sure to do this at an early age, you'll be rewarded later in life with a Blue and Gold Macaw that is willing to let anyone hold, handle or pet him, and thus avoid a TON of behavior problems.
    

2. Target Training -- Target training is a behavior that I recommend all Macaw owners teach to their Macaws.  Here's how to do it with your Military Macaw...

   Start by placing the end of a small wooden dowel in front of your Military Macaw.  When he goes to grab at it, or play with it, reward him with praise and possibly a favorite treat. 

   Before long most Military Macaw's will realize that they get rewarded for touching the end of the stick.  When your Macaw figures this out, up the 'ante and start making him reach further for the stick to earn his reward, and then make him take a step towards the stick to earn a reward, and then two steps, three steps etc.

   Keep doing this until your Military Macaw has learned he gets a treat if he'll just walk, stumble, climb or fly to wherever you've got your wooden dowel... and that if he just goes over and touches the tip of that dowel with his beak, he'll earn a reward.

   This act of training a Military Macaw to obey a simple command like this sets the stage for learning other skills and will make your Macaw learn new commands quicker and nip bad habits in the bud if they ever show their evil little heads.

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